Kochi transformed itself and evolved well before their eyes as they walked together, through its streets for a quarter century.
V.R. Krishna Iyer and M.K. Sanoo, doyens of law and literature respectively, shared their views as they went about their evening walk in the city for well over two decades.
“It was in 1958 that we met first at a meeting in Kochi. Swami was then the Law Minister in the EMS Namboodiripad government and I was a young college lecturer at Ernakulam Maharajas’ College. I remember making a comment in lighter vein on a statement he made at the meeting. The innocuous comment, which he too enjoyed, caught his attention,” reminisces Prof. Sanoo.
“It all started quite unexpectedly. One day Swami saw me walking along the pavement of the Maidan. Next evening, he came to my home to join me in the stroll, which continued for more than a quarter century,” remembered Prof. Sanoo.
The evening saunter of the duo along the walkway of Rajendra Maidan and later Durbar Hall Ground became the mascot of camaraderie of elders in the city. As they walked past, people stood up and greeted them in reverence.
During the evening strolls, they shared jokes and wisdom, voiced protest against the lethargic approach of administrators to the pressing needs of people, dived deep into the ocean of literature and philosophy and amicably differed with each other on several issues.
“Barring a few days, when either of us had to attend meetings, we took our evening walks together, sharing our views, anguish, concerns and likes and dislikes. Later, C.K. Ramachandran joined us. Swami brings with him a treasure of experience. He used to share vignettes of his wisdom and his views on various aspects of law, life and politics with me during the evening hours that we shared together,” he said.
The jurist had a special liking for strolls along the banks of water bodies. The leisurely walk was discontinued when Swami became indisposed. “Though the evening walks have been called off, the more-than half-a-century-long friendship is still going strong as we talk to each other over telephone or meet each other regularly,” said Mr. Sanoo.
Mr. Iyer too had spoken on a few occasions on how “Mash,” as he fondly calls Prof. Sanoo, enlightened him on literature and philosophic works of a few greats.
